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Good morning! This day in Disney history, March 18th, 1967: The Pirates of the Caribbean attraction opened in New Orleans Square! (My personal favorite)

photo credit: CobbPR

"Psst! Avast there! It be too late to alter course, mateys...and there be plundering pirates lurking in every cove, waitin' to board. Sit closer together, and keep your ruddy hands inboard. That be the best way to repel boarders. And mark well me words, mateys...dead men tell no tales!"

The Pirates of the Caribbean attractions' debut kicked off with great excitement! A swashbuckling band of buccaneers armed with pistols and cannons, led by Wally Boag, took over the Sailing Ship Columbia before bursting through the new attractions' doors with a battering ram! (pictured in the main photo of the post)

Below is a couple of fantastic videos with Walt himself talking about the development of the attraction and opening day happenings. I will warn you though, if you are watching with small children, the original Mickey Mouse costume looks a bit scary compared to todays version. If you want to fast forward to opening day footage, it starts at 7.26.

Audio-Animatronics technology had already brought to life the birds and flowers of the Enchanted Tiki Room and the children of It’s a Small World, but only one adult human figure had been attempted up to that point—President Abraham Lincoln for Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Just three years later, Pirates of the Caribbean introduced the world to no fewer than 64 buccaneers, brides, and villagers—and 55 animals!

Before the art of audio-animatronics could be perfected, and with Disneys' vision being decades ahead of the technology available; several ideas for a pirate adventure were originally drawn up, including a walk-through “Rogues Gallery” wax museum. But later, Walt decided on the boat system just like the one used successfully in It’s a Small World (Thank goodness).::lifts both arms in the air:: WEEEEEEEE!

The attraction itself is housed within two large show buildings totaling 112,826 feet and featuring 750,000 gallons of water that flow through a 1,838-foot canal.

POTC is the largest audio-animatronic project to date and the last attraction Walt Disney himself worked on extensively before his death.

All of the technology was first envisioned by Walt Disney, then created by his team of Imagineers. All the figures in the attraction are designed by Imagineer Marc Davis, Costumes were done by Alice Davis.Blaine Gibson did many of the sculptures and the lavishly detailed sets are by artist and color stylist Claude Coats.

I was able to find some rare Imagineering pictures which were reproduced in a hard to find Pirates of Caribbean brochure released in the 70's. Readers were treated with the opportunity to see Marc Davis at work...

I heard that the Walt Disney Family museum features a story about the building of the attraction. Apparently, Walt wanted to show his wife Lillian what he had been working on; but the ride was not complete and as it was a construction site, dirt was prevalent. Walt laid down floorboards to allow his wife to walk through and not get her dress dirty. A dreamer, a genius, and a gentleman. How cute!

A few facts about Pirates ye landlubbers might not know...(From the Disney parks webstie)

-The fire effects in the Burning Town scene were so realistic that prior to the attraction’s grand opening, the Anaheim Fire Chief asked that the effects automatically shut off in the event of a real fire.

-It cost $15 million to build New Orleans Square ($8 million of which was spent on Pirates of the Caribbean). This is equal to the amount the United States paid for the real New Orleans in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803! ::gasps::

-The façade of the attraction was partly inspired by the Cabildo building in Jackson Square in New Orleans, which served as the seat of the Spanish colonial government in 1799. It is also noted for being the site where the Louisiana Purchase was signed in 1803.

Happy 47th Birthday POTC!

What do YOU think of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction? Was it money well spent? Do you have a favorite part?

Photo credit: CobbPR

Thanks so much for reading and watching! Hope you all have a terrific Tuesday!

It was money very well spent. We did miss the crab on our last visit. It was an honor to have been able to ride it with you just over a year ago. Our grandson Jack likes it so much that we were on the attraction about 4 times a day and was the last attraction we enjoyed befor going home. You are right that Mickey is scary!( very happy I did not know better when I was young ). Thank you for another wonderful post and video links. Very happy of the fantastic job the Disney people did at updating the attraction without loosing the flavor of the experience. And with the movies now we know when the pirate says fire at Will we know who he is talking about - Tealtownfan
1015.5 #172 6:43AM

Awe Teal! That was so much fun when you showed up for my surprise birthday meet up! Great memories! 4 times seems like a good amount to me 😂👏 oh good! You though he was scary too! 😳 yes! Tastefully refurbed! Great points! so glad you enjoyed the post! Thanks as always for telling me so! - Duchess_SMK 6112.9 #15 1:38PM

Oh gosh. Love this! I remember when this was new. I need to find out from my cousin if they were there opening day. And I am pretty sure we used to own one of those fancy color booklets they made of this ride and it's progress! Key words 'used to.' 😩. Thank you for this fun history lesson! You're the best! 😘 - MeridaFan
3577.9 #36 7:27AM

I worked on this attraction in 1978 and had a blast. Of course we did not yet have AP's and we actually did have off seasons. Some days were so slow that we would alternate boats with and without Guests. This meant a couple could potentially have an empty boat in front and back of them. Thinking they had complete privacy the attraction might have... A little more adventure. of ccourse this attraction has cameras and alcoves where CMS can keep a close eye out... for, umm, for safety. - MickeyLumboCM
1275.4 #122 7:33AM

😊 you are very kind! Thank you so much! - Duchess_SMK 6112.9 #15 1:47PM

Thanks Duchess for bringing together all this great info. I always loved that Disneyland special, one of my favorites and that had been repeated on tv even when I was a kid. It's funny to see how some of the original animatronics actually seem smoother than they do today as well. I like to think Park Mickeys got progressively less creepy over time too lol - BeatleMike
635.3 #293 8:08AM

You're welcome! So glad you enjoyed it! Love that video too! I'm always surprised at how many have never seen it. 😂 oh good, another for thinking the original Mickey costumes were um, not as "cute" as they are today. Appreciate your comment! Thank you! - Duchess_SMK 6112.9 #15 1:50PM

Thank you for all the work you put into these. As a kid, in the late 70's maybe early 80's, I chose a POTC picture book as my souvenir on our annual summer trip. I loved that book, great to see the pictures while at home. I wish I knew what happened to it. - AZDisney
610.4 #310 9:30AM

☺️it's my honor. Awe man!! If you find that book someday bet it would be worth some $! Hope you find it!! Thank you! - Duchess_SMK 6112.9 #15 7:15AM

Thanks so much for this!! One of my all time favorite attractions and always will be. My whole family loves it and I can't image DL without it!! ❤️ - MinnieMousewife
886.5 #188 10:26AM

I believe in pirates, Walt! :0) Thank you, thank you, thank you, @Duchess_SMK! The vintage videos were great as well as all of the historical tidbits you dug up for us! May I ask how long this took you to put together? I think it was definitely money well spent and my favorite part is right after the 2nd drop when you cruise by the beach and the rock caverns! I just love the music in that section, so peaceful and I would love to chill out on that beach! Thanks again and happy 5000 MouseRank to you! - zenderella
408.9 #510 11:40AM

Thanks so much. I'm kinda embarrassed to admit it, but this took around 6-8 hours combined over a few days to make. 🙈 I have to stay up really late and wake up really early when my kiddos are sleeping. 😴 Great choice for a favorite part! And thanks again! You're always very supportive. Means a lot! - Duchess_SMK 6112.9 #15 9:19PM

Don't be embarrassed at all! It would take me at least double that time, if not triple that amount of time!!! Half the time I try to post a comment and I hit the wrong button on the phone and it takes me to another screen and I have to start all over, lol! Thanks again for everything you do around here! Have a great night! - zenderella 408.9 #510 9:33PM

The web version is far less qlitchy, I use that when I make these. 😊 thanks again! 😘 - Duchess_SMK 6112.9 #15 7:22AM

I really like today's history lesson. Thank you for always doing this for us - philliprocks
1167.8 #139 12:03PM

Pirates!!!! I really like this attraction and what a great post too. Thank you miss for another amazing history post. We pirates love and appreciate you and all you do. - GrumpyPirateDad
1845.9 #81 12:05PM

The weather is ok,t shirt and sweater,jeans,a coat at night(layer and you'll be fine)...it's busy but you're coming at a really good time.you will love it😊and if you have park hoppers for each day you will be able to go back n forth...I live 15 mins away so you can always message me if you need more details or have any weird questions... - DarthFairy
58.6 #4282 7:31PM

Disneyland unFORECAST (BETA) is here! Top MouseWaiters giving you the rundown of what's happening at the Disneyland Resort. The unFORECAST now has its own page on the web www.unFORECAST.com

unFORECAST for the week of July 27, 2015Crowd levels have been rising since Disneyland's official birthday on July 17th. Looking back at MouseWait's Historical Crowd Index (available in our new MagicPlan iOS Calendar), this week last year averaged in the high 70s, which is light for summer crowds. When temperatures rise, the crowd does thin out a bit (especially Annual Passholders)--and this week should be a hot one with forecasts in the 90s through Sunday. We feel that the crowd level will be similar to last year (high 70s on the Crowd Index) and the heat will keep some away. To get a real-time look at crowd levels, check the MouseWait app for Crowd Index averages and wait times. - Admin Jul 28, 2015 9:36AM

We have always noticed that Saturdays are better than Sundays! We always come on the weekend and say we want to leave at dinner time on Sunday, but always leave by 11-12 because there are so many people. We love Saturday!! - 1Princess3Princes
488.4 #404 5:39PM

I agree. I think it has to do with most passes being blocked - PoohSizedGuy 18.6 #7119 11:53PM

Saturday's rule! One of the perks of a premium pass! - snappy 383.1 #553 7:32AM

I love these posts! I do have a question/request/suggestion...is there a way to only show the 3-4 most recent posts? It's a lot to scroll through. @@Admin - TiggersAndTinks
160.7 #2482 5:08AM

I second this. The info is great to have, but it's too long. - 1HitchhikingGhost 239.1 #1420 5:04PM

I was there this week, Tues, Wed.,Thur. Very hot and muggy. Long lines except single rider lines were great. Because we had 3 days we didn't mind waiting in line. It's so fun to people watch while you wait. We had a great time. Can't wait until next time to go back. - Popcorn
9.3 #10615 9:33AM

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Can you get a discount on annual passes too? - DeeDeeMouse
246.1 #1338 9:59PM

How do you get discount on AP passes. Guessing use MOUSEWAIT - suzieq65 52.8 #4448 4:00PM

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Here are the upcoming MouseWait Events. You can post your event on mobile here, and on the web here. Thanks!

We have our weekly MW sticker meetup at La Brea bakery at 4 pm in Downtown Disney! Lots of fun for newcomers and all and a great way to meet new people! Then we go to the MW spot we've held in DL to watch PTN and fireworks! Everyone is welcome! - secretagentangel
1948.4 #75 6:10PM

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2. Watch the new "Disneyland Forever" Fireworks show at 9:30pm nightly.

3. See the new "World of Color" 9pm and 10:15pm nightly.

4. Try to find a "Made with Magic" wand or paintbrush which allow you to interact with select Disney experiences and merchandise.

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And don't forget about Food! Check out our real-time Food blog to see what's new at the Resort. POST YOUR IDEAS BELOW and they could make the weekly top 5!

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Credits have been applied to everyone's account as of today! - Admin
11:40AM

I just called them to price out our potential trip in June. Chris was so nice and the MW savings are phenomenal! Still waiting on work vacation approval to reserve the room! - HNL2SFO
205.4 #1856 1:26PM

What percentage saving are we looking at for being MouseWaiters? Is it better than a AAA discount. - MoChuck 128.5 #2974 3:57PM

MouseWait COUNTDOWN for iOS is here! Countdown the days to your next Disneyland or Disney World trip with our images OR your pics! Your Countdown also displays on Apple Watch and is beautiful on iPhone 6 screens. Secure the discounted launch price for a limited time.

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